Two days later, Elara was found hiding in an abandoned building. By then, she had become the gossip of the town.
Blue had never wanted Elara's outburst to become public. Information spread too quickly, and knowing that humans and Seraphyne alike were discussing what had happened only made him angrier.
Elara's actions could follow her for the rest of her life.
Blue feared that powerful families would no longer want to marry their sons to her because of her rage, her refusal to control her abilities, and her apparent indifference toward the Seraphyne.
As Orion had predicted, even the humans judged her.
Some believed she wasn't strong enough to be Blue's daughter.
That hurt Ivory more than she wanted to admit.
Everywhere they went, people whispered about Elara. Some humans thought her powers were incredible but useless. Only a handful sympathized with her.
Birdie had told Ivory that perhaps the reactions would have been different if Elara hadn't hurt her mother.
Some people claimed Elara had injured Ivory intentionally.
That hurt Ivory more than the accusations that Elara wasn't strong enough to be a Gravesend.
Others theorized that Elara was angry with her mother because Ivory had been forced to marry Blue, and that perhaps Ivory had never wanted children in the first place.
The Seraphyne judged Elara harshly.
They said this was the consequence of refusing to fulfill her legacy and refusing to live within her true power.
None of them expressed remorse for her.
Blue eventually made a public announcement.
Anyone who continued gossiping about the Gravesend family matter would be executed.
After that, the town fell silent.
Ivory had been awake for most of the night.
Her ankle was still swollen beneath the blanket despite the regenerative serum Blue had given her. The pain had dulled considerably, but every time she moved her foot, a sharp ache reminded her that she wouldn't be going anywhere on her own anytime soon.
Her head was worse.
The stitches pulled whenever she moved her face too quickly, and the bruising along her back made even sitting upright uncomfortable.
But she couldn't stop thinking about Elara.
She kept seeing her daughter's face.
The pent-up anger.
The fight.
The shock.
The fear.
And then the moment Ivory had been thrown through the air.
Elara hadn't meant to hurt her.
Ivory knew that.
Blue still wasn't happy with Elara. Ivory knew that, too. But Blue didn't care. Either Elara fulfilled his wishes, or she would face the consequences.
Blue had stayed awake for most of the night, making sure Ivory was comfortable. He had iced her ankle and lightly massaged around it to decrease the swelling.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled Ivory into a restless sleep.
Suddenly, she woke to light shining directly into her face.
Blue wasn't in the room.
Ivory shifted carefully and reached for the glass of water on her bedside table. She took a small sip.
A knock came at the door.
Ivory looked up.
One of the workers stood in the doorway.
"Mrs. Gravesend?"
"Yes?"
"Blue wants you in the west chamber for Elara's hearing."
Ivory's heart began pounding.
Her chest tightened, and suddenly she found it difficult to breathe.
The worker cocked his head, concern crossing his face.
"Are you all right, Mrs. Gravesend?"
"Tell Blue I can't come."
"He said it's imperative that you're there."
Ivory looked down at her ankle.
"I can't walk. I'll need help getting dressed."
The worker helped Ivory sit up and assisted her into a silk throw-on dress and her jeweled red robe.
Then he brought a wheelchair into the room.
With his help, Ivory transferred into it and slowly refreshed herself at the bathroom sink.
Footsteps approached.
Ivory turned.
Kael walked into the room.
"You're supposed to be resting."
"I have to go."
"Mom—"
"I know. Your father said it's imperative that I go."
Kael sighed.
"This isn't going to end well."
He helped his mother sit on the edge of the bed while the worker stepped aside.
Kael then told the worker that he would wheel Ivory to the west chamber himself.
The two set off.
Ivory hated needing help. She hated how vulnerable she felt having to rely on her son to transport her from place to place. Most of all, she hated knowing where they were going.
The west chamber was rarely used.
It wasn't a public courtroom. There were no reporters or citizens because Blue didn't need them. He was going to pass judgment on their daughter privately, in front of those closest to the family.
The hallway was strangely quiet. That meant everyone had to be inside.
Even the rest of the children were nowhere to be seen. There was no one lounging around, training, fighting, or playing.
It was unsettling.
When they reached the chamber, Kael opened the doors.
Ivory immediately saw a huge room. Crystalline benches filled the lower floor. Stained-glass windows depicted dragons and the Seraphyne. Above them was a mezzanine with two plush seats waiting to be occupied.
Ivory was overwhelmed by the number of people.
Seraphyne and humans alike filled the chamber, their voices blending into an angry, nervous murmur.
Everyone seemed shocked.
Everyone was waiting to see what would happen.
Ivory scanned the room and found her children. Orion stood against the wall near the mezzanine stairs, his arms crossed. Cassian stood beside him. Lyra sat stiffly in one of the chairs, staring down at her feet as though she didn't know what to say or do.
Serene sat beside her, looking nervous.
Ivory couldn't find Elara.
"Where's Elara?"
"Beats me," Kael replied. "Maybe the guards have her."
Lyra looked up.
Her eyes met Ivory's.
"Mom."
She immediately ran over with Serene, Cassian, and Orion following behind.
"Let's get you upstairs," Orion said.
He took the wheelchair from Kael and carefully used the ramp to bring Ivory to the mezzanine.
"Thank you, Orion," Ivory said quietly.
"Of course," Orion tapped her shoulder. "Anything for you, Mom."
Ivory noticed that his face had returned to normal, as if he had never been injured. Then she met Blue's intense gaze.
Orion brought her toward the plush chair.
Blue nodded toward Red, who stepped forward and helped Ivory into her seat.
Once everyone saw Ivory sitting beside him, the chatter stopped.
The Gravesend children returned to their original places.
Blue nodded toward the guards stationed by the back doors on the first floor.
They opened them.
Two Seraphyne guards dragged Elara into the chamber.
Several people gasped.
At the center of the room stood Elara.
Her wrists weren't chained.
She wasn't restrained.
She didn't need to be.
The guards stood several feet behind her.
Ivory immediately noticed how exhausted her daughter looked.
Her hair was messy; she sported red eyes and a pale face. Ivory's heart broke, because she knew Elara hadn't injured her on purpose.
Ivory glanced toward Orion. He was staring at the floor. Even he couldn't look at his sister.
"Elara," Ivory said quietly.
Elara looked up.
"Mom."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry."
"I know."
"I didn't mean to."
Elara's voice cracked. "I... I didn't know what was happening."
"I know."
Ivory wanted to go down the ramp and pull her daughter into her arms.
But Blue spoke. "Enough."
Ivory looked toward him.
Blue sat at the head of the chamber. He looked completely composed. Almost detached.
That frightened her more than anger would have.
Blue looked around the room. "This hearing concerns the events that occurred a few days ago."
Elara lowered her head as his cold eyes settled on her.
"Not only did you manifest an ability you had previously refused to develop, you lost control of that ability and injured your mother."
Elara remained silent.
"Afterward, you ran away. The entire town became consumed by gossip. I had to threaten execution before everyone stopped speaking about it."
Blue's voice remained controlled. "You injured your mother while damaging the reputation of this family and the Seraphyne."
Ivory immediately spoke.
"She didn't do it intentionally, Blue. She's a child."
Blue looked at her. "I didn't say she did." His expression hardened. "Intent doesn't erase consequences."
Ivory's jaw tightened.
"I have all eyes on me because I rule Earth, and she's my daughter. That is the price you pay for power, Ivory."
Ivory looked away.
Blue turned back toward Elara.
"You have been instructed repeatedly to develop and control your abilities."
Elara finally looked up.
"Because I don't want them."
The chamber went silent.
Blue's eyes narrowed.
"You don't get to choose whether you have them."
"I should get to choose what I do with them."
Orion scoffed.
Blue raised one hand.
Orion immediately went quiet.
Lyra, Kael, Serene, and Cassian all stared at the floor.
"You are a daughter of this family," Blue continued. "You possess abilities that could become extremely dangerous if left uncontrolled."
"I don't want to be dangerous."
"Then learn control."
Blue's voice sharpened.
"That is the only way you will have power and use it only when necessary."
"I don't want to train."
"And that is why we're here."
Ivory's stomach tightened.
"Elara."
Blue stared directly at his daughter.
"I am giving you one final opportunity."
He paused.
"Agree to undergo training."
Elara shook her head.
Ivory closed her eyes.
She knew what would come next.
"You don't understand what you're refusing," Blue sneered.
"I understand perfectly."
"You will train and learn to control your air bending."
"No."
Elara shook her head harder.
"I don't want to become like you."
The room went completely silent.
Even Orion looked at her.
Blue's expression didn't change.
But Ivory knew him well enough to see something shift behind his eyes.
"Elara," Ivory said quietly.
Her daughter looked toward her.
"Please."
Elara's eyes filled with tears.
"Mom, I don't want this. I don't want to hurt anyone."
"You already did," Orion said.
Kael nodded reluctantly.
"I don't want to be a ruler," Elara whispered.
Ivory swallowed.
Blue stood.
His hands slammed against the railing.
The sudden sound echoed throughout the chamber, and several people gasped.
"Elara Gravesend!" he shouted.
Elara looked up at him.
For the first time, she looked genuinely afraid.
Ivory knew that look.
The mafia leader inside Blue was coming out.
"This'll be good," Ivory heard Harley whisper to Red.
Red shook his head.
"Kid doesn't realize how dangerous her father is."
Blue's voice cut through the room.
"Because of your repeated refusal to train, your inability to control your abilities, and the danger your uncontrolled power poses to this family, you will be placed under confinement."
Elara's face fell.
"You will remain confined until you demonstrate sufficient control over your abilities."
"Blue..."
Ivory's eyes filled with tears.
"You can't."
"I can."
"She made a mistake."
"She made a mistake that nearly killed you and ruined my family's reputation."
Blue's voice hardened.
"It's more than fair."
"She is our daughter."
Ivory's voice broke.
"And I am protecting this family."
"Blue, you're going to push her away."
Blue turned toward Ivory.
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"I suggest that if you don't want to join her, you shut the hell up."
Ivory stared at him.
Then she looked down.
She stopped arguing.
She knew it wouldn't go anywhere.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Elara stepped backward.
One of the guards grabbed her arm.
"Elara," the guard said. "Come with us."
Elara looked at Ivory. Then her father. Then her siblings.
Everyone in the courtroom expected her to follow what her father wanted. But Elara couldn't.
Her father had chosen to become a violent, ruthless ruler. That didn't mean she had to follow his footsteps. It didn't mean she had to believe in his strategies. And it certainly didn't mean she had to let him control her life. She thought her father was controlling. And she refused to become him.
"No!"
Elara shouted.
People stood.
The other guard reached for her free arm.
Elara pulled away.
"I said no!"
"Elara," Blue warned.
She looked toward the hallway. Then back at Blue.
The hallway.
Blue.
Then the guards. She noticed that there was a gap between them. She could fit through it. She might never get another opportunity.
So she ran.
Everyone gasped.
"Seize her!" one of the guards shouted.
Boots thundered through the hallway.
"Elara!"
Ivory's heart jumped. She immediately tried to push herself forward and reach for her wheelchair. But Blue wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap.
"Blue!" Ivory began crying. "Blue, don't do this!"
She struggled against him.
"How could you treat our daughter this way?"
She shifted and cried out as pain tore through her ankle and lower leg.
And suddenly, she understood. She couldn't run. She couldn't even walk. She had already made one terrible decision by throwing herself between Orion and Elara. She had thought she could protect her daughter.
Instead, she had ended up injured and unable to move. And now Elara was running down the hallway with guards chasing her.
Ivory watched helplessly as her daughter disappeared around the corner. Members of the courtroom began yelling and shouting in anger. Ivory saw Cassian and Lyra run through the back doors.
Blue turned toward Harley and Red. "Go after them."
The two men nodded and followed his command.
Kael rushed toward his mother. "Mom."
"Go."
"What?"
"Go after her."
Kael froze. "I can't leave you."
"You can. I'm fine."
"You're not fine."
"I need you to get your sister."
Kael looked toward the hallway.
Then back at Ivory.
Before he could move, Blue stopped him.
"Kael."
Kael froze.
"Stay."
"Yes, Father."
He lowered his head.
"She needs to understand that running will not change her sentence," Blue said.
His left arm wrapped around Ivory's back and held her close.
Another crash came from the second-floor hallway.
Everyone stopped.
The room fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the double doors near Blue and Ivory's chairs.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then a violent gust of wind swept through the open doors.
Everyone turned.
Elara stood at the far end of the catwalk. Her hair whipped wildly around her face. Her eyes were wide and feral.
"Elara!" Ivory shouted.
She tried to stand, but pain shot through her ankle.
Kael immediately reached for her. "Mom!"
"Let me go!" Kael caught her before she could fall. "Elara!" Ivory cried.
"Let go of my sister!" Serene screamed.
Cassian and Lyra grabbed her before she could run toward the catwalk.
Red and Harley rushed toward them.
A guard lunged for Elara; She threw out her hand. A burst of wind slammed into him and sent him crashing backward.
The second guard caught Elara from behind. She screamed and fought against him.
"Let me go!"
The guard tightened his grip around her arms.
"Seize her!"
Ivory covered her mouth. She had wanted to protect Elara. But now, sitting helplessly in her wheelchair, she realized something she hadn't wanted to admit.
Her injury hadn't just made her weaker. It had taken away her ability to protect her daughter when she needed her most.
Elara was dragged away. Her feet left the ground as the guards lifted her into the air.
"Let me go!" She screamed. Then, she screamed at her father. "You'll pay for this!"
Ivory watched until her daughter disappeared. The hallway went silent.
Ivory looked toward the catwalk.
Several of her children remained there.
They held onto Serene, who had begun crying. Cassian stood motionless. Lyra looked completely stunned. Orion remained below, leaning against the wall with his arms and legs crossed. He only shook his head.
Kael stayed beside his mother. He took her hand and held it tightly.
He refused to leave her side.